Guisborough had their share of set-piece ball with some strong runners and a battling spirit for the full 80 minutes. However, they came up against a stern defence, notably from Ollie Connolly and Davy Heckles,  and whenever the ball was eventually lost West attacked clinically, with skipper Ryan Painter's match awareness the key to many of the scores.

THe home pack showed four enforced changes from previous weeks thanks to work commitments, injury and imminent new arrivals. As a result we had a new second row partnership in Will Corbett and Andy Turner,  who both did more than could be asked of them.

It also saw line-out thrower Tom Robertson in the back row until he had to leave for hospital in the second half with a shoulder injury. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

As a result of all the changes West started a little tentatively with Guisborough taking the game to the hosts with several breaks through midfield. It was no surprise when they went ahead with an early penalty after they forced a West offside.

Winger Lewis Robson was then  tackled into touch at the corner flag as the Priorymen kept up the pressure, and it wasn't until the tenth minute that West looked like any kind of attacking force. The ball was moved swiftly along the backs in the Guisborough 22 with Max Tennant in at the corner. However, his knee knocked the ball out of his hand as he went to touchdown - fortunately for him referee Matt Arrowsmith had already decided on a forward pass

Undettered West kept up the pressure with the first try coming two minutes later. Ryan Painter was quick to spot a flat defence and his kick through was gathered by Will Hilditch with the conversion just too wide out for Sam Heron.

Hilditch took another kick to set up the second. When the right winger was stopped on the visiting 22 the ball was quickly moved left with Tennant making no mistake this time and coming round to give Sam a better shot.

Astute kicking was proving to be West's best weapon and Painter once again seized the opportunity to put in a deft kick through - Chris Atkins timing his run to collect and go over to give West a 17-3 lead and with the bonus point try the next objective.

They had to wait another 15 minutes as Guisborough fought back and once again it came from Painter's right boot. This time it was a crossfield kick to Tennant  who jinked inside and was tackled just short. However, Man of the Match Painter had raced across in support picking up to go over from close range to secure that bonus point. 

Once again Guisborough fought back and their pressure eventually forced a penalty,  which scrum half Tony Conway quickly tapped to snipe his way over to take the score to 22-10 at the break.

The half-time chat was that the next score would be an important one. Could West extend the lead or could Guisborough get themselves back to within one score? 

The answer came three minutes after the restart - once again stern West defence forced Guisborough to drop the ball on the half-way line with Painter first to the loose ball. He kicked through  following up to score with Heron's conversion bouncing back off the post.

A minute later the victory was sealed with Chris Atkins getting his second after Guisborough had knocked on with quick ball from the scrum wrong-footing the defence. 

At 34-10 West were firmly in the driving seat and the last twenty minutes saw them run in a further five tries. Matt Siddle was next. The full back ran a superb line to take a sharp pass from Davy Heckles and then the hard-working Isaac Robinson was sent clear (left) by Ryan Painter after the skpper had made a break from a scrum. Heron converted and then set one up for Hilditch. Another superb crossfield kick  straight into the winger's grasp and there was no stopping him. Sam then managed a try for himself with an interception as Guisborough continued to try to reduce the arrears. It was 60-10 going into the final five minutes and and nobody would have begrudged Guisborough the now traditional last-minute score.

However, it just wasn't their day as Max Tennant was sent clear up the left wing. He scorched his way over to complete the try scoring and for Heron to round off the afternoon waith a superb conversion.

Thoroughly entertaining stuff for home supporters and a benchmark set for the squad as they look forward to two derbies, which will undoubtedly be testing in different ways. Old Boys away next week and Rovers at home the following week. 

West: Matt Siddle, Will Hilditch, Davy Heckles, Ollie Connolly, Max Tennant, Sam Heron, Ryan Painter (capt), Jack Angus, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Will Corbett, Andy Turner, Tom Robertson, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins.

Replacements (all used): Charlie Kay, Lewis Scott, Alex Johnson.

Tries: Hilditch (2), Tennant (2), Atkins (2), Painter, (2), Siddle, Robinson, Heron,.

Cons: Heron (6)

Guisborough: Alex Humphrey, Mark Ferguson, Jack Robinson, Matt Rawlinson, Lewis Robson, Johannes Jacobs, Tony Conway, Gareth Lodge, Conner McFarland, Michael Henderson, Rory Cosgrove, Matthew Flint, Adam Bell, Oliver Muir, Ben Buckworth.

Replacements (all used); Oliver Taggart, Ben Wood, Luke Berry.

Tries: Conway.

Con: Robson.

Pen: Robson.

Referee: Matt Arrowsmith (Durham Society).